St Cross Symondians (193 for 8) beat Sparsholt (192 all out) by 2 wickets

St Cross beat Sparsholt by two wickets in a highly exciting match last Saturday.

This result was of absolute importance to a struggling St Cross side, and gives them a realistic platform from which they can avoid relegation.

Sparsholt lost the toss and were put in to bat on what was without doubt the wettest wicket they had played on all year.

Sparsholt, as they have all year, started brightly. Tim Richings (38) and Olly Kelly (32) raced to another half century opening stand in ten overs, quite a feat considering the amount of lateral movement and bounce the wicket was offering.

St Cross change bowlers Richard Boote and Alan Whitman halted the momentum; Whitman ousted Kelly and Richings, while Boote, who at times was unplayable, dismissed Ryan Mannix. With Kevin Foyle having to retire hurt with severe back spasms, Sparsholt were in trouble.

Sparsholt's lower order counterattacked. Mark Costin hammered 20 in no time, in an innings which included two well-timed sixes, including one to get off the mark. Sparsholt were eventually bowled out for 192 in the 49th over, with Matt Perry Lewis taking 4 for 30.

At tea Sparsholt were rocked by the news that Andy Pryce had damaged his calf muscle and would not be able to bowl.

That left Sparsholt with just one regular first team bowler.

Sparsholt took the field after tea with two new faces. Edward Kelly was called off the golf course to act as 12th man, and 12-year-old Tom Foyle deputised for his father; both gave sterling efforts in the field.

In reply St Cross started slowly and lost the early wicket of opener Nigel Miller. However Phil Nevin and Whitman put together a cool half-century stand.

In an intense passage of play Whitman survived two close appeals, but Mannix (2-26) and Kelly (3-25) started to turn the screw. Kelly dismissed Nevin, Barrett and Haycock (sensationally caught one-handed down the leg side by wicket keeper Nick Boxall) in no time to leave St Cross reeling at 88 for 6.

Andy Heyes was clearly getting the best out of his team, while juggling his depleted resources to the best of their ability.

Despite looking down the barrel St Cross never panicked or gave up. Charman and Burridge compiled a patient watchful stand of 50. Sparsholt had to find 14 overs from somewhere and Richings stepped up to the plate, bowling with great resolve to record figures of 1 for 44 in 9 overs.

The Charman-Burridge partnership was broken by a suicidal run out and Richings nearly had Kiwi Nick O'Connor first ball, but Heyes spilled a difficult chance.

O'Connor (35no) and Perry (24no) were to carry St Cross from 155 for 8 to an unlikely victory. With three overs left St Cross needed 25 from 18 balls with two wickets left, but Perry-Lewis changed the game by blasting two sixes off Rees.

Despite the local rivalry and what was at stake for St Cross, the game was played in exactly the right spirit.